TikTok began as a hub for short-form videos but it’s rapidly evolved into a powerful tool for businesses, both small local companies and international corporations. With over a billion active users worldwide, it offers an unprecedented opportunity for brands to connect with audiences creatively and engagingly.
For local businesses, the platform provides a cost-effective avenue to reach nearby customers, establish a loyal community, and drive foot traffic or online sales. Let’s get into how.
Why TikTok is a Game-Changer for Local Businesses
Hyper-Local Targeting Through Content
TikTok’s algorithm is uniquely designed to deliver content that aligns with users’ interests and locations. This means local businesses can create videos that resonate with nearby audiences. By using location-based hashtags, collaborating with local influencers, or simply showcasing a well-known local landmark in videos, businesses can ensure their content reaches their community. And it’s much more modern than a classic leaflet campaign.
Humanizing Your Business
TikTok thrives on authenticity. It’s out with stuffy, faceless corporations, and in with authentic businesses that show their human side. Unlike traditional advertising, TikTok videos succeed when they feel relatable, presenting an opportunity for local businesses to tell their story, introduce the faces behind the brand, or share behind-the-scenes glimpses of their daily operations. These personal touches foster trust and connection with the audience.
Encouraging Community Engagement
TikTok’s interactive features, such as duets, stitches, and challenges, make it easy for local businesses to engage directly with their audience and receive direct feedback and praise.
A bakery might create a challenge encouraging users to share videos of their favourite desserts from the store, or a gym could invite members to share their fitness journeys. These initiatives not only boost engagement but also create free, user-generated content that promotes the business.
Your business can then repost or duet those videos, and the engagement cycle continues.
Cost-Effective Marketing
TikTok is a goldmine for small, local businesses with limited marketing budgets. Organic growth on the platform is achievable without significant ad spend, making it accessible even for those new to digital marketing. When used strategically, even TikTok ads can yield significant returns at a fraction of the cost of traditional advertising.
How Local Businesses Can Benefit from TikTok
Showcasing Unique Offerings
Using TikTok, local businesses can highlight what sets them apart. A boutique might showcase its handmade jewellery, or a restaurant could post videos of chefs preparing their signature dishes. Using TikTok’s fast-paced, visually appealing format, businesses can capture the essence of their offerings in seconds.
Promoting Special Events
TikTok is an excellent platform for promoting community events, such as grand openings, sales, or local markets. A brief, engaging video announcing an event can generate excitement and create a sense of urgency, especially when paired with countdown stickers or teasers.
Building Partnerships
Collaborating with other local businesses or influencers can amplify reach. For example, a coffee shop might team up with a nearby bookstore to create a co-branded campaign, combining their audiences for mutual benefit.
Leveraging Trends
By participating in trending challenges, local businesses can align themselves with popular culture. For instance, a fitness centre could adapt a trending dance challenge to highlight workout routines, while a florist might use a popular sound in the background of a flower-arranging video.
Growing an Unknown TikTok Page for a Local Business
Starting from scratch on TikTok can feel daunting, but the platform’s design rewards creativity and consistency, making growth attainable even for new pages. Here’s how to do it:
1. Define Your Niche
Identify what makes your business unique and build your content around it. For example, a small bakery might focus on aesthetically pleasing cake-decorating videos, while a pet store could create heartwarming clips of customers’ pets exploring the shop. Having a clear niche helps attract the right audience.
2. Optimize Your Profile
Your TikTok profile is your business’s first impression. Use a clear profile picture (such as your logo), a concise and engaging bio, and a link to your website or other social media platforms. Don’t forget to add your location if your goal is to attract local customers.
Buying likes to get your profile off to a flying start is a good idea, too. By purchasing likes and followers from the official Smikky website, you’ll cement your status as a trustworthy business account and attract further followers.
3. Consistency is Key
Posting regularly keeps your content fresh and helps the algorithm favour your page. Aim for a posting schedule of at least 3-5 times per week. Experiment with different types of videos to see what resonates with your audience, but always maintain a consistent tone and style.
4. Engage with Your Audience
Reply to comments, follow local users, and interact with other creators’ content. Engaging with your audience builds community and increases the likelihood of your videos being shared. Get TikTok likes instantly by creating high-quality content that your audience will love and buying a likes package to get started.
5. Utilize Local Hashtags
Incorporate location-specific hashtags like #YourCityNameEats or #ShopLocal[YourCity] to make your content discoverable by nearby users. Combine these with broader trending hashtags for maximum reach.
6. Collaborate with Local Influencers
Partnering with micro-influencers in your area can give your business instant credibility and reach. These influencers typically have a loyal, engaged audience that trusts their recommendations, making them ideal ambassadors for your brand.
7. Leverage TikTok Ads
While organic growth is powerful, a small investment in TikTok ads can jumpstart visibility. Use TikTok’s geo-targeting tools to ensure your ads are seen by people in your area.
8. Create Shareable Content
Focus on videos that are fun, educational, or inspiring. For example:
- A restaurant could post a “How It’s Made” series featuring popular dishes.
- A clothing boutique might create “Try-On Hauls” showcasing seasonal collections.
- A local artist could demonstrate their creative process, encouraging viewers to visit their studio.
The Bottom Line
TikTok offers local businesses an unparalleled opportunity to connect with their communities in authentic and creative ways. By leveraging the platform’s tools and staying consistent with their content, even small, unknown businesses can achieve significant growth. The key lies in understanding the audience, embracing local culture, and remaining true to the brand’s unique story.
For local businesses, TikTok is more than a social media platform – it’s an opportunity to shine, inspire, and foster deeper connections with the people who matter most. With thoughtful strategy and genuine engagement, businesses can turn TikTok into a cornerstone of their marketing efforts and a powerful driver of community impact.
